Widow 180 The Podcast with Jen Zwinck
When you become a widow, the heartache can be overwhelming. You feel lost. You feel broken. You feel alone. And you find yourself trying to pick up the pieces of your life and function. But I believe that every widow has the capacity to endure, that every widow has the power to overcome and the determination to create a new life filled with meaning and purpose. The Widow 180 Podcast is about turning tragedy, loss and fear into strength and creativity and a new passion for life. It's about self-reflection and realizing that we only have this one precious life to live and that a new life and a new you is achievable.Each week I will be interviewing widows, incredible survivors of loss. These women have taken the lessons they've learned and the insights they've gained and used them to grow and transform themselves. Some have started businesses, went back to school, run marathons, lost 100 pounds, and moved across the world! They made a choice not to be held down.How did they do it? How did they get through their grief? What's their secret? What lessons can we learn from them that will transform our own lives? How can we write our own story because our story isn't over yet? How can we begin our Chapter 2? I hope that you are as inspired by these women as I am. And maybe hearing even just one story will be life-changing for you.
Episodes
271 episodes
270. Why You Don't Recognize Yourself Anymore: Identity Lag In Widowhood
Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Who am I now?”? Today we dive deep into the concept of "identity lag"—the uncomfortable, confusing gap between who you were before losing your partner...
269. "We Are In This Club That No One Wants To Be In" - Interview With It's Lifey Founder Jen Newberg
Jen Newberg shares her journey through heart-wrenching loss, unexpected chaos abroad, and the path to healing through connection. After a blended family, second marriage, and overcoming personal struggles, Jen tragically lost ...
268. You're So Strong: Widow & Author Leslie Harter-Berg on Sudden Loss, Solo Parenting, Remarriage After Grief, and Finding Yourself Again!
Leslie Harter Berg's entire world changed in a single instant. At just 30 years old, she became a widow with two grieving toddlers.In today's episode, Leslie shares the raw, unfiltered story of sudden loss, early widowhoo...
267. Why Do People Stop Calling After You Lose A Spouse? - And What Widows & Widowers Can Do About It!
Why do friends and family stop calling, texting, or checking in after you've lost your spouse?While every grief journey is unique, so many widows and widowers experience the pain of disappearing support just a few months after t...
266. Facing Fears, Fighting For Faith, And Dreaming Big - Advice For Navigating Widowhood! - Interview With Mary Henderson
"Don’t give up. Allow yourself to breathe, laugh, and dream again. Healing is possible, and you are not alone." ~Mary HendersonMary Henderson sits down with us this week for an honest, heartfelt conversation about love, loss, an...
265. These Widows Are Rebuilding Life After Loss, One Brick (Or Peanut Butter Parfait!) At A Time! - Roundtable Discussion With Pam, Becky, And MaryBeth
Welcome to this first ever Widow 180 roundtable discussion! We are bringing together an inspiring group of guests to explore the deeply personal process of rebuilding life after loss. Pam (4 years widowed), Becky (4 years...
264. Creating Space For Grief AND Your New Life - Advice From Widow & Author Jackie Disch
Get ready for an episode that’s as heartwarming as it is inspiring! In this week’s Widow 180 episode, I sit down with widow, author, and death doula Jackie Disch. Jackie takes us on a deeply personal journey through the loss of her bel...
263. Am I Going To Be Okay? 5 Signs You're Healing After Losing Your Spouse
Have you found yourself wondering, "Am I doing this right?" or "Is what I feel normal?" after losing your spouse? You're not alone — and this episode is for you.Grief after losing a husband or wife is unlike almost any other los...
262. Second Chances & Endless Adventures For This Couple: Finding Love, Healing, and Purpose After Loss! Interview With Tammy And Bob Cranston
Tammy and Bob Cranston join us on the podcast and open up about the tragedies that changed their lives—& the unexpected journey that brought them together!This episode is packed with wisdom on intentional grieving, goal-setting, and ...
261. Bouncing Back After Loss & Cultivating Resilience in Grief! Interview With Elle Davis
Join me as we sit down with the incredible Elle Davis—a mother, widow, professor, writer, and TEDx speaker! Elle bravely shares her deeply personal journey of the sudden loss of her husband Paul and the raw aftermath that follow...
260. How To Take Brave Baby Steps Forward After Loss: Micro-dosing Discomfort & Moving Through Widowhood!
A heartfelt and encouraging message this week for anyone navigating widowhood! Drawing inspiration from the concept of "micro-dosing discomfort," this episode explores how small, courageous choices can make a big impact over time. T...
259. A Crash Course In Dating As A Widow!
Ready to dip your toes—or maybe just test the water—when it comes to dating after loss? Get ready for a heartfelt crash course in venturing back into the dating world as a widow!This solo episode is filled with honest advice& relatab...
258. 7 Reasons Why It's Better To Date A Widow (And Why She's Worth It!)
To all the men who are questioning whether or not to date a widow, this is for you! And to all the widows who need to remember just how amazing they are - this is for you too!In terms of relationships and love, dating a widow just might ...
257. And She Got Up! - Transforming Widowhood Into Purpose, Hope, and Healing! (Part 2) Interview With Courtney Pray Duke
In the final 35 minutes of this heartfelt Widow 180 episode, I continue my deep and honest conversation with Courtney Pray Duke as we explore how to move forward after loss. Episode Highlights:Turning ...
257. And She Got Up! - Transforming Widowhood Into Purpose, Hope, and Healing! (Part 1) Interview With Courtney Pray Duke
Join us today for Part 1 of this heartfelt episode of Widow 180 as I sit down with guest Courtney Pray Duke for an incredibly raw and honest conversation about sudden loss, the journey through early widowhood, and finding faith in the darkest m...
256. Make 2026 A Year Of Transformation! How Hope Fuels Healing After Loss
Can hope help us heal? Absolutely!Today's podcast dives deep into the healing power of hope as we approach 2026. We explore what hope really means—believing with confidence that good things are still possible—and why it’s such a vital pa...
255. A Guide To Fearless Widowhood And Living Boldy After Heartbreak! - Interview With Angela Enloe
Angela Enloe, a true adventurer at heart, joins us on the podcast today to share her incredible journey through love, loss, and rebuilding her life. Tragedy struck when her husband Dan passed away unexpectedly, leaving Angela to face the unimag...
254. Best Advice From Top Podcast Episodes Of 2025!
I want to thank all of our amazing guests for coming on the podcast this year! Thank you for sharing your stories....the good, the bad, the ugly!Thank you for your honesty and most of all, thank you for your wisdom that you share with us...
253. 3 Lessons Grief Teaches Us About The True Meaning Of Christmas!
The holidays can feel especially heavy after the loss of a loved one, and in this heartfelt episode, Jen opens up about her own journey through grief during Christmas. She shares honest reflections and personal lessons learned from her first Ch...
252. Practical Advice For Widows Facing Unimaginable Loss - Interview With Haley Haight
This week, I sat down with Haley Haight to share her extraordinary story of love, loss, and rebuilding in the face of unimaginable hardship. Haley opens up about life with her husband Don, the shock of his sudden terminal diagnosis, navigating ...
251. Holiday Motivation To Keep You Going!
If you have been grieving a loss, then you know the intense feeling of isolation that can overcome you. It can make you feel like nobody else in the world understands what you're going through. But then you come across a...
250. When Gratitude Feels Too Hard - How Gratitude Can Help Heal After Loss!
Gratitude feels IMPOSSIBLE when your heart is broken!This episode offers hope and guidance for anyone navigating life after loss—especially as the holiday season approaches. This episode explores how gratitude can coexist with grie...
249. 5 Heartfelt Ways to Begin Thanksgiving - Preparing For The "Elephant In The Room"!
Are you facing Thanksgiving after the loss of a loved one? We are here to guide you through the heartache and help you create moments of comfort and connection. In this episode, we have five unique and meaningful ways to start your Thanksgiving...
248. The Messy Middle Of Grief And Widowhood! - Interview With Sandi Waters
What to do when you're in the messy middle of grief? Sandi Waters' story highlights the complex challenges—and unexpected sources of strength—faced by widows.In this episode, she candidly describes the overwhelming experience of watching...
247. Healing Widow Guilt: Let Go And Move Forward After Loss!
After losing a spouse, many widows and widowers are haunted by guilt — guilt for what they did or didn’t do, guilt for surviving, or even guilt for feeling moments of happiness again. But what if that guilt isn’t proof of love, but a...